It’s time once again to round up the best comments, hatemail, discussions and posts of the year. This was a year of change, from Bush to BRCK BM, and from pet-free apartment to dog-infested house. Along with that change came fewer posts, of significantly reduced quality. Still, you kept coming back for puppies, politics and another round of (delightfully) vicious comments from readers. This year I endeavored to tinker with more multimedia, so I’ve added a category for the year’s “best collateral.” I enjoyed blogging this year, and that’s the main thing. So I hope you enjoy this look back at The Best of 2008 at MickWright.net. (more…)
Archive for December, 2008
THE BEST OF 2008
Sunday, December 28th, 2008EDEN AND FRECKLES ENJOY THEIR FIRST CHRISTMAS
Thursday, December 25th, 2008
We’ve had an interesting Christmas day so far. With Alison working, I spent the morning at the Youth Villages Bartlett campus watching kids open their presents with one of our biggest donors, an amazing man. Then I was scheduled to have lunch with the teen I mentor (as of last week), but evidently plans at his group home were lost in the shuffle, so I went to eat solo at Fajitas, which I used as an excuse to wish somebody Felice Navidad. After that, since it was nice outside, I showered a little Christmas spirit on Eden and Freckles by taking them to Shelby Farms and letting them run around the dog park unleashed for the first time. They did good — didn’t stray too far, and minimal barking and mayhem. It was still pleasant outside when we got home, so I decided to clean the gutters. Then I got to sweep the leaves off the walkways. If we owned a rake, I probably would have went for the hat trick. Instead, a brief nap, then make plans for the evening.
HANG A SHINING SHROOM UPON THE HIGHEST BOUGH
Wednesday, December 24th, 2008
Hang it just above the brass poppies.
JCPENNY HAS SOME FUN AT THE EXPENSE OF CUSTOMERS
Monday, December 22nd, 2008As I discovered last night, JCPenny has tucked the men’s bathroom behind the most logical department, women’s underwear:
It seems management realized that this would seem like a gauntlet for some guys, so they made it even more challenging for the ladies.
To get to the women’s restroom, you actually have to enter the men’s room, find the urinal marked “out of order” and turn it counter-clockwise 45 degrees. That opens a secret door behind one of the stalls (knock first!), which leads to a hallway. Take the first right, then ask for Justin.
THE OPEN SELECTION PROCESS
Thursday, December 18th, 2008The Tennessee Republicans have done an excellent job opening up the State Constitutional Officers selection process to the public. The Tennessee Senate Republican Caucus has even posted the applications and interview videos to its website. But I thought this little bit of censorship on page one of Tre Hargett’s application was curious:
Particularly since his resume on page seven includes this:
Perhaps the State Government will be hiring a new censor, too?
ANOTHER KODAK MOMENT
Wednesday, December 17th, 2008
You, stand on one leg.
Ok, and you, look at a photograph, no, turn your head away and look at something else.
And you, just completely turn your back to the camera.
Now hold it.
*Flash*
FOTO NEWS. MERRILL, WISCONSIN. APRIL 30, 1986.
Wednesday, December 17th, 2008
MEMPHIS COUNCILMAN AIDS THE GWOB
Thursday, December 11th, 2008In what will surely be another bright victory in the Global War on Bags, Memphis City Councilman Jim Strickland plans to introduce an ordinance banning “the sale or distribution of plastic bags by sponsors and organizers of a city festival, parade or other public assembly.”
So next time you participate in an event like a 5K run in the City of Memphis, and they give you a bundle of goodies, you’ll get to stack it up and schlep it back to whereever you came from.
Cooper Young Festival organizer Emily Bishop says she supports “the push to be greener,” even though it “could pose a problem for vendors who rely their business [sic] for the crowds.” But not to worry, she says, “People are creative and they’ll come up with ways to sell their products.”
Ok, dear readers — time to prove your worth. What do you think vendors should use for giveaways and promotional materials instead of bags? Bonus credit for any ideas that politically harm, embarrass or otherwise frustrate Councilman Strickland. Points will be deducted from any answer containing the word “mesh” unaccompanied by the phrases “aborted fetus” and “Flyer logo.”
THE BIBLICAL CASE FOR COMPLETE IGNORANCE
Thursday, December 11th, 2008Newsweek has written a cover story on the “Biblical case for gay marriage,” but it forgot to actually consult the Bible. Instead of looking at its actual teaching on the subject or doing a comprehensive examination of Scripture, the author extrapolates from the record of flawed individuals in the Old Testament and selective quotes from Jesus and Paul, then adds a dash of innuendo and revisionism, in order to reach a series of ignorant assumptions based on a terribly corrupt set of premises.
But you probably could have guessed that just from reading the headline and considering the source.
Thankfully, the story has already been reviewed by Albert Mohler, Mark Hemingway, GetReligion.org, and others, saving us from wasted effort.
Previously: Red Letter Christians
FIXING THE ENVIROCONOMY, ONE LIGHT BULB AT A TIME
Tuesday, December 9th, 2008The President-O-lect has proposed an “economic recovery plan” that seeks to create jobs via federal spending on infrastructure, internet connectivity and energy-efficient technology.
Specifically, he plans to hire people to change (!) the light bulbs:
“We need to upgrade our federal buildings by replacing old heating systems and installing efficient light bulbs. That won’t just save you, the American taxpayer, billions of dollars each year. It will put people back to work.”
It can’t be just one light bulb technician. If we’re going to get this economy going again, and heal our environment at the same time, we’re clearly going to need an entire army of light bulb switcher-outers. A collective, if you will:
When he was preparing for them [debates] during the Democratic primaries, Obama was recorded saying, “I don’t consider this to be a good format for me, which makes me more cautious. I often find myself trapped by the questions and thinking to myself, ‘You know, this is a stupid question, but let me … answer it.’ So when Brian Williams is asking me about what’s a personal thing that you’ve done [that's green], and I say, you know, ‘Well, I planted a bunch of trees.’ And he says, ‘I’m talking about personal.’ What I’m thinking in my head is, ‘Well, the truth is, Brian, we can’t solve global warming because I f—ing changed light bulbs in my house. It’s because of something collective’.”
These two passages, taken together, provide the definition for “collective” action. It does not mean the sum result of individuals making individual choices, working collaboratively to effect positive change. Instead, “something collective” is the federal government taking action, redistributing your tax dollars, and restricting your individual liberty with a series of regulations on every aspect of your life — from the way you light your room, to the way you heat your house, to the way you bag your groceries, to the vehicle you drive, the food you eat, etc., etc.
Our federal government has decided that it is the answer to both the economy and the ecosystem — two vast systems so large, complex and intricate that they can only be harmed by the reckless involvement of a heavy-handed bureaucracy that is distinguished mainly by corruption, inefficacy, ignorance and hubris. And soon, I suppose, well-lit rooms.